[1]GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–What happened to the “Doris Day” movies where an unwelcome kiss brought a slap across the face?
If people who lived a hundred years ago could see what we call entertainment today, they would be shocked. Sex, foul language and violence were unspeakable in those days. Now, our kids are growing up in a world so vile that what was once detestable in the sight of family, neighbors and God is now considered normal.
Isn’t “everybody doing it”? According to the television industry, it would seem that way. More and more teens are living out what they view as the “norm” from TV and the movies.
After shopping for a birthday present with my 11- and 7-year-olds in a toy store when, three teenagers stood in line behind me as I was paying. One teen was sharing a story with the other two. Every other word out of his mouth was a vulgar word. In an attempt to protect my children’s ears and hearts, I turned and without saying a word made eye contact with the young man. He apologized. Perhaps all is not lost, but I worry about where it will lead.
I’m concerned about the teens who are not being taught that, even though cultures change, God and His ways remain the same. What does God say about sex?
While living together is satisfactory for television, it’s not acceptable with God. He created sex for the married couple so that they could grow closer in their relationship with one another. When premarital sex is practiced outside the bond of matrimony, people get hurt. Once two people have become one, breaking up or becoming divorced is like trying to pull two paper dolls apart that have been super-glued together. It’s impossible.
[2]Deeper sexual sin is promiscuity, which is having more than one partner. If married, God calls this sin adultery. Disease is one of the consequences of this immoral behavior. The rate at which sexually transmitted diseases grow yearly is unsettling. This is not what our Lord intended. God gave us sexual desires to be shared with one partner, unless the relationship is ended by death or biblical reasons for divorce. If those who go against God’s plan do not repent, they will reap the consequences not only in this world but in the next as well.
Further into sexual immorality is the practice of homosexuality. It is not a popular thing to say that homosexuality is wrong today, when even our schools and government acknowledge homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle. Sadly, even some priests and pastors acknowledge it as a way of life. But note the words of well-known evangelist Greg Laurie: “God is not concerned with what people think. He is concerned about their salvation and obedience to His Word.”
God’s Word tells us that homosexuality is unnatural: “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire towards one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things that are not proper” (Romans 1:26-27).
God desires us to use our sexuality within the boundaries He has set; which is one partner, one bed, one marriage. Is God trying to cheat us? No. He is protecting us from the consequences of immoral sin. Obedience to God’s Word is not binding. It is just the opposite. Obedience brings freedom. Freedom is not doing what you want with whom you want, but the power to do what you should.
Your sexuality is a gift from God to be used the way He intended. Living within the boundaries of God’s Word brings about joy and life instead of pain and regret.
I have often explained it this way to my children, teenagers and those tangled in a web of deception: It’s your birthday. You have long desired a brand-new, shiny, state-of-the-art stereo system. Someone who loves you has offered to buy this gift for you. The anticipation and excitement grows. You make all the plans and preparations for your party. The guests arrive to share in your special day. You enjoy receiving all the gifts, but the ultimate present is all you can think of. The time has come! The gift is brought to you. Suddenly, you feel disappointed at the sight of it. It’s not what you expected. The package is crumpled and torn. There is a glob of tape on the top where the bow had once been. You try not to appear let down as you tear off the tattered paper. The box is smashed and dented. Worse, inside the box, the stereo system that you longed and waited for is scratched, broken and used. You feel cheated. You can’t help but wonder, “Didn’t they care enough to give me the very best?”
When you meet the person you want to spend the rest of your life with in matrimony, you don’t want to give them a used gift. Keep yours wrapped until it’s time to give it away. If you have already given your gift away, there is still hope, my friend. It’s never too late with God. Stop, repent and wait. God can restore you and make all things new.
The worldview may be to accept “alternative lifestyles,” but God’s Word simply calls it sin. If you live in sin, you’ll never be as close to God as you would like. Yet, if you stay close to God, you won’t desire a lifestyle of sin. By doing it God’s way you’ll discover the beauty of your sexuality, given and received the way God intended.
Some may argue that these truths are outdated. Yet, the Lord does not change. His Word stands forever (1 Peter 1:25). Therefore, these truths apply today as much as they did thousands of years go. In fact, it’s been said, “If God doesn’t destroy America for her sin, then He will owe Sodom and Gomorrah and apology.” If God is a God of His Word, and He is, then we are in deep trouble. We need to wake up, stand up and call our country to turn back to the ways of the Lord. It will begin with you and me.
–30–
Used by permission of Micca Campbell, assistant director of Certified Speakers, a division of Proverbs 31 Ministries, and a member of Parkway Baptist Church in Goodlettsville, Tenn., near Nashville.